Omega Reinterprets Speedmaster Pulsometer With Panda Dial

Designed for collectors, the limited edition Speedmaster CK 2998 features a true “panda dial” and introduces exciting new elements to this historic timepiece.

May 31, 2018 | By Shirley Wang

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Fans of watchmaking giant Omega will know the brand’s famous “moonwatch” – the first watch worn by an astronaut on the moon with the Apollo 11 mission of 1969. But before that, the CK 2998 model, was the first, historic Omega watch in space to be worn in 962 by astronaut Walter “Wally” Schirra.

The Swatch Group brand recently released a limited edition reinterpretation of the iconic CK 2998, which was made available in 2016 in a sporty blue-white combination dial.

This year, Omega come backs with a reinterpretation of the classic Speedmaster CK 2998, a limited production of only 2998 pieces.

The new Omega Speedmaster CK 2998 has many notable changes, with the most significant difference being the new dial on the reference 311.32.40.30.02.001 of the CK 2998. The dial is now defined by a contrasting white and black colourway, with black subdials in place of the blue on the predecessor, paired with a black and white minute track and black pulsometer bezel.

The pulsometer scale is meant to track a wearer’s heartbeats per minute – something that would have been indubitably essential during space missions in the 1960s, but much less relevant today given the technological advancements of other mobile devices.

Nevertheless, the original models of the Omega Speedmaster CK 2998 has allowed customers to select from among 4 timing bezel options – tachymeter, pulsometer, decimal, or telemeter – which makes this new model a historically accurate reissue with its pulsometer bezel.

The new Omega Speedmaster CK 2998 retains the same alpha-shaped hour and minute hands, retaining Omega’s design heirtage, Their edges however, have a more contemporary blackened finish, which have also been applied to the baton-shaped indices. Notably, the seconds hand has notably been changed to a sharper looking needle-shape, instead of the lollipop shape in earlier models. The new seconds hand is also varnished in shade of red, giving a slight lift of colour to the otherwise monochrome palette.

This Omega Speedmaster CK 2998 is run by the same accurate movement that powered the 2016 limited edition: the caliber 1861. The manually wound movement beats at a relatively high 3Hz, with 18 jewels and a promise of 48-hour power reserve.

Packaged in a well-proportioned stainless steel case, the dial measures on the smaller side, just shy of 40mm across. A black perforated leather strap with white rubber lining rounds out the classic look. Priced rather affordably at $5,850 USD, this new limited edition certainly sports some nice tweaks for a sharper look.